MUSC Health Blog

In honor of Kidney Health Month, MUSC Health and the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) are working together to increase kidney health awareness throughout South Carolina. With the increase in diabetes and high blood pressure – two major kidney disease risk factors – kidney disease is on the rise. South Carolina ranks among the highest for those being treated for kidney failure and awaiting lifesaving transplants.

Quick Kidney Facts:

One in three American adults is at high risk for developing kidney disease today.

26 million Americans have kidney disease –– and most don't know it.

High blood pressure and diabetes are the two leading causes of kidney disease.

Kidney disease is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States.

Kidney Health Awareness Event Calendar:

World Kidney Day – Thursday, March 9, 2017

Wear orange to show your support of Kidney Health Awareness!

The NKF will be hosting an information table and kidney screenings at the S.C. Statehouse

Kidney Walks

More than 100 Kidney Walks take place across the U.S. each year, at­tracting over 125,000 walkers, 6,000 teams and raising over eight million dollars to sup­port NKF's early detection, awareness, and education programs. MUSC is supporting all South Carolina walks and encourages participation from our patients, staff and surrounding communities. More than 80 cents of every dollar donated directly supports NKF programs and services.

Step 3 - Possible Trouble Signs:

Most people with early CKD have no symptoms, which is why early testing is critical. By the time symptoms appear, CKD may be advanced, and symptoms can be misleading. Pay attention to these: fatigue/weakness, difficult/painful urination, foamy urine, pink or dark urine, increased need to urinate, puffy eyes, swollen face/hands/abdomen/ankles/feet, increased thirst.

Step 6 - Learn More:

Do you need a kidney health check? KEEP HEALTHY- NKF offers free kidney health checks in communities across the country. A screening will be offered in Charleston on Sat, March 20th from 9am-1pm at Mt. Moria Baptist Church in North Charleston.

To learn more about CKD risk factors, prevention and treatment, visit www.kidney.org

Upstate Kidney Walk

Today Dakota Seabrook seems like your average teen-age high school student - playing video games, shooting hoops and acquiring an impressive collection of athletic shoes. But Dakota's path to this role is anything but average. For most of his life, Dakota has suffered from the debilitating pain crises associated with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). In 2012 though, he participated in a clinical trial at MUSC for treatment of SCD that has changed his life. This treatment consists of bone marrow transplant from unrelated donors and it has the potential to actually cure SCD. Watch Dakota's inspiring story in this video. Dakota Seabrook A Second Chance